Chennai Super Kings defeated Gujarat Titans in a thrilling final on Sunday (May 29) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to win the IPL 2023 for the fifth time.
The 21-year-old Sai Sudharsan ignited the contest early on with a knock of 96 runs to lead Gujarat Titans, who were put in to bat first, to 214/4 after the game saw plenty of action, twists, and turns. After a delay caused by rain and a soggy outfield, CSK’s chase was cut short to 15 overs and the revised target of 170 was set. IPL 2023 champion CSK won for the following three reasons, according to MyKhel.
IPL 2023 Finals
With three centuries in the previous four games, Shubman Gill entered the championship match as the man in form. The GT opener was in top form throughout the whole 2023 season, and he continued that form in the IPL 2023, scoring nearly 900 runs to take home the Orange Cap. Deepak Chahar dropped a dolly at the backward square, giving Gill an early life.
The batsman took advantage of the situation by scoring 39 runs in 19 balls and appeared to be headed for another huge inning until MS Dhoni abruptly ended it with a lightning-quick stumping after Ravindra Jadeja misled him with a sharp turn. When MSD collected the ball after Gill committed himself to a drive, he caught him short of his ground and removed the bails in 0.12 seconds.
- Chennai Super Kings win IPL 2023 for the fifth time with MS Dhoni as captain.
- Sai Sudharsan leads Gujarat Titans to 214/4, winning IPL 2023 for three reasons.
- Batsman scores 39 runs, MS Dhoni stumps, ends inning with lightning-quick stumping.
Without the explosive start provided by opener Devon Conway, who struck a 25-ball 47 while adding 74 runs for the first wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad (26), CSK would have succumbed to the pressure of the asking rate of over 12 runs per over in the championship game.
The Man of the Match award went to the New Zealand opener, who had scored 672 runs by the season’s finish. His efforts lessened the influence of Purple Cap winner Mohammad Shami, whom this season took the majority of his wickets during the powerplay.
Despite the openers giving the game a strong start, Mohit Sharma’s three wickets in the final stages of the CSK innings helped GT win. After dismissing Ambati Rayudu and Ajinkya Rahane earlier in the season, the seam bowler finished the year with 27 wickets by dismissing MS Dhoni for a duck.
But in the crucial match, Ravindra Jadeja (15* off 6) and Shivam Dube (32* off 21) maintained composure by keeping the scoreboard moving when under pressure. Jadeja coolly hit a six and a four when 10 runs were required off the final two deliveries. Notably, Rayudu quickly made an 8-ball 19 to lower the needed rate.
